Schengen visa costs surge for Indians as VFS doubles service hikes

(INDIA) Schengen visa applications for Indian travelers have become markedly more expensive, as VFS Global raised its service charges twice in 2025—first in January and again in April—pushing total out-of-pocket costs higher than in previous years. As of 22 August 2025, applicants are paying not only the unchanged €90 Schengen visa fee (about ₹8,000–₹10,000, depending on the euro exchange rate) but also higher service charges at VFS Global centres, plus rising optional add-ons such as courier return, SMS updates, and premium lounge access.

The combination of euro-denominated pricing, a weaker rupee, and the fact that most embassies now require applications to go through VFS Global has made European travel notably costlier for Indians this year.

Why charges rose: VFS explanation and currency effects

VFS Global, which processes visa applications on behalf of most Schengen states, confirmed that all service charges are approved by client governments and are set based on:

• the scope of services,
• expected volumes,
• infrastructure and resource costs,
• required security measures.

The company notes that the service fee for Schengen visas can go up to a maximum of €40 under the EU Visa Code, and that fees are set in euros—meaning the jump in the euro-to-rupee rate feeds directly into higher charges in India. In line with Indian law, 18% GST is included in all VFS service fees.

The euro, which traded around ₹72.12 in 2015, crossed ₹100 in June 2025, magnifying the impact of euro-denominated fees on Indian travellers. With direct walk-ins at most embassies now rare, Indians generally have little choice but to use VFS Global and bear the accompanying service charges.

Policy changes and cost breakdown

Two hikes by VFS Global in 2025—January and April—are driving much of the current pain. As of August 2025, typical VFS service charges for Indian applicants show marked increases over 2024. Recent examples include:

• Austria: ₹2,649 (up 36% from ₹1,942 in 2024)
• France: ₹2,202 (up 13% from ₹1,950)
• Germany: ₹1,933 (up 7% from ₹1,806)
• Greece: ₹3,025 (up 3% from ₹2,925)
• Netherlands: ₹1,700 (up 4% from ₹1,636)
• Switzerland: ₹2,680 (up 45% from ₹1,850 in March 2024)
• Portugal: ₹3,111

These service charges are paid in addition to the €90 Schengen visa fee for adults, collected in rupees at the current exchange rate. Optional services continue to add to the final tally. Typical VFS add-ons include:

• Courier return: ₹930
• SMS updates: ₹450
• Premium lounge: ₹4,600 (varies by city)

Even without extras, many travellers now face a basic application spend of ₹12,000–₹14,000 or more per person once they combine:

• the €90 visa fee (paid in rupees at the prevailing exchange rate),
• the country-specific VFS Global charge, and
• mandatory travel insurance for Schengen travel (commonly ₹1,500–₹2,500 for minimum €30,000 coverage).

Families and group travellers see these costs multiply quickly. Travel agents say more clients are asking about cheaper destinations or deferring Europe trips until later in the year.

VFS Global says the pricing reflects the true cost of running secure, high-volume centres and meeting government contract requirements. The company stresses that client governments approve fees and that the EU Visa Code sets the ceiling on the service charge. However, travellers and some industry voices question the pace and timing of the hikes, noting that two increases within four months have real consequences for households budgeting trips.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the new fee environment is likely to dampen leisure travel growth from India to Europe, at least in the near term.

Application pathway — step by step

The application pathway itself remains the same, but there is little room to avoid fees. Most applicants must:

1. Identify their main Schengen destination (or the country of longest stay).
2. Assemble documents, including:
   • a completed visa application;
   • passport valid for at least three months after planned departure;
   • travel itinerary and accommodation proof;
   • bank statements or other proof of funds; and
   • travel medical insurance of at least €30,000 coverage.
3. Book a VFS Global appointment online and pay the service charge—now typically mandatory at the time of booking.
4. Visit the VFS centre to submit documents and biometrics, pay the Schengen visa fee in rupees, and opt for any add-ons.
5. Track the file online or through SMS if chosen.
6. Collect the passport or receive it by courier.

For official rules and the uniform application requirements under the EU Visa Code, applicants can refer to the European Commission’s visa policy page: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/visa-policy_en. This is the European Union’s authoritative source for short-stay visa policy, including the standard form and core documentation rules followed by Schengen states.

Impact on applicants and industry response

The effect of these service charges on Indian households is practical, not abstract.

• A couple planning a 10-day Europe trip now budgets an extra ₹4,000–₹6,000 compared with last year just on processing and service charges, before any premium lounge or courier options.
• A family of four can see overall application expenses climb by ₹10,000–₹20,000 compared with 2024 norms, depending on their chosen consulate and optional services.
• Students and first-time travellers—often more price sensitive—may push plans to off-peak seasons or consider destinations with easier or cheaper visas.

Industry reactions and behavioural shifts:

• Travel agencies report more calls asking whether processing via the embassy is still possible. In most cases it isn’t; mandatory VFS usage has become the norm for Schengen applications in India.
• Some prospective travellers are reducing optional spending by skipping premium lounge access, declining SMS updates, and opting for in-person passport pickup rather than courier return.
• Where timing allows, applicants are booking early to secure appointment slots and avoid last-minute premium options.

VFS Global acknowledges public concern but maintains that the fees match the scale and security levels expected by client governments, especially after the pandemic-era rebuild of staffing and infrastructure. The company points to the maximum €40 cap under the EU Visa Code as a benchmark that keeps service charges within regulated limits, with the rupee equivalent fluctuating as the euro moves.

Meanwhile, the euro’s rise over the rupee has made the same euro-priced services feel more expensive, even without any local hikes. The exchange-rate reality affects the entire Schengen application spend: the €90 visa fee, euro-priced service charges, and any euro-linked add-ons move in rupee terms when the exchange rate shifts.

If the rupee weakens further or if operating costs rise, additional increases are possible, industry watchers say, though there has been no official signal of a rollback or stabilizing cut.

Market implications and future outlook

Travel experts worry about the broader market impact:

• Tour operators catering to first-time Europe travellers expect slower growth in price-sensitive segments.
• Corporate travel is less affected, but employers may revisit budgets for junior staff attending short courses or conferences in the Schengen area.
• Experienced travellers may adapt by choosing countries with lower service charges and avoiding optional services unless necessary.

Applicants continue to ask whether the coming digital shift will change costs. The Schengen system is expected to go fully digital in the future, which could streamline paperwork and reduce reliance on physical visits. But:

• There is no confirmation that a digital rollout will lower India-side costs.
• Collection of biometrics and identity checks may still require in-person steps.
• Security standards for outsourcing partners will remain strict.

For now, the cost curve is moving up, not down.

Practical tips to manage costs in 2025

If you’re preparing to apply in 2025, a few practical steps can help manage the bill:

• Check your main destination’s VFS page early to see the latest service charges and the optional items you can skip.
• Book appointments well in advance to avoid urgency choices like premium lounge add-ons.
• Buy travel insurance that meets the €30,000 minimum but compare plans to avoid overpaying.
• Track the euro-rupee rate; paying the visa fee and any euro-linked items when the rupee is stronger can shave off a little.
• Keep documents complete and clear to avoid re-visits that may add time and incidental costs.

Important: Optional add-ons remain truly optional, yet some (for example, the ₹4,600 premium lounge) can push a file well above the basic ₹12,000–₹14,000 range. Unless the rupee strengthens or client governments revise fee structures, Indian applicants should plan for a more expensive filing season through the rest of 2025.

Despite higher costs, demand for Schengen travel from India remains resilient—especially for study tours, family visits, and milestone holidays. But many applicants now scrutinise each line item—visa fee, service charges, insurance, courier, SMS—and compare them against travel dates and ticket prices. Some choose visa-free or e-visa destinations for Indian passport holders; others hold plans until the rupee gains ground.